Growing up, you always hear of people wanting to travel the states or the world, but how many people actually do? Being from a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, the normal way of life is to graduate from high school and college, then get a job and immediately start a family. That idea of staying in one state my whole life has never interested me. I love Alabama and the South and I am not saying that I would not end up back here one day, but I do not plan on spending the vast majority of my life here.

The past two summers I have had the privilege of living in New Hampshire for three months at a time. During those two summers I have learned more about life, theater, and this world than I have in my past 19-20 years of living in Alabama. People thought my mother was crazy when she would tell them her 18-year-old daughter would be driving over 20 hours by herself to New Hampshire, where she would then work in a theater for three months. After living in New England for six months over two years, life hits you kinda hard and you learn about yourself and life outside of your home. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that this country is too beautiful and wonderful not to go out and see it for yourself. Do not let the normal routine and way of life ever keep you from doing something.

1. Explore.

Live a life that you are excited about with no regrets.

2. Live in the moment.

All that matters is what is happening now.

3. Never be afraid to try something new.

Step out of your comfort zone. The outcome and experience you gain from it will always be worth it.

4. There is more to life and this world than the town you may feel stuck in.

Being in this new place, I felt refreshed and free of anything I was preoccupied with before. I was working in the profession I love and had nothing stopping me.

I’m not saying that every place you will go you will be glad you went there, but there is something about disliking a place. Having a bad experience teaches you just as much about yourself as good experiences do.These bad experiences shape your view of who you are and what you want. It gives more space to appreciate the really good experiences. If everything were a great experience, would it really be great anymore? No, it would be average, and what’s the fun in that?

There is no true way to list how much traveling teaches a person. It’s a way to become a well-rounded person. It educates you in ways that are impossible to learn about in a classroom. It gives you a challenge. It broadens your horizons. It makes you a more interesting person. It opens the door to endless opportunities.